Health Topics for Mental and Emotional Health

Department of Psychiatry

Transvestism

Transvestism means dressing up in clothes associated with the other gender. Today, women often dress in clothes that were once worn only by men, such as pants and suits. Usually the term transvestite refers to men who dress in women's clothing. This is also known as cross-dressing or dressing in drag.

Some homosexual men dress in drag for fun. Some men with a gender identity disorder dress in women's clothing to try to pass as women. Many transvestites are heterosexual men who do not wish to be mistaken for women. They are not attracted to other men.

Transvestites are aroused by wearing women's clothing. This is considered to be a psychological disorder only when the man meets the following conditions. He:

• is heterosexual, or straight
• has intense sexual fantasies, urges, or behaviors involving dressing in women's clothing and
• is distressed by these fantasies, urges, or behaviors or they cause problems in his life.

Most transvestites begin to experiment with cross-dressing when they are children or adolescents. Some feel guilty and uncomfortable about this preference, while others do not. Many are happily married to women who understand their behaviors. Others have had marriages or relationships ruined because of cross-dressing.

There are numerous support groups for transvestites and their wives or partners. If you are a transvestite and are concerned about it, or have a wife or partner who is concerned about it, you may wish to seek therapy with a mental health professional. Contact your State Board of Mental Health for a recommendation to a specialist in this area.

Last Reviewed 2005

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

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